Mobile Targets (RCV) SON_Updated_Apr 21 (DRAFT).pdf

DRAFT

OFFICIAL (OPEN)

OFFICIAL (OPEN)

STATEMENT OF NEEDS (SON) FOR MOVING TARGETS FOR EX

FORGING SABRE 21 (XFS 21)

OVERVIEW

1. XFS21 is a Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) exercise that will be held at

Mountain Home Air Force Base (MHAFB), Idaho, USA, from 13 to 23 Sep 2021.

The SAF will lease a total of 24 Remotely-Controlled Vehicles (RCVs) and require up to eight RCV Control Teams1 to support the exercise as moving targets which will be engaged by inert bombs and AH rockets. The RCVs shall be operated by the contractor under the command and control direction of SAF’s

RCV liaison officer based at MHAFB.

AREA OF OPERATIONS

2. The RCVs and Control Teams will operate within Saylor Creek Range

(SCR) and within Orchard Combat Training Center (OCTC) throughout XFS21.

CARDINAL REQUIREMENTS

3. The summary of operational requirements and performance objectives and their respective performance threshold in support of XFS’21 (see Table 1) are as follows:

Table 1: Summary of Operational Requirements and Performance Objectives for XFS’21

S/N Operational Requirements/Performance Objectives Location Performance

Threshold (%)

Control Teams/Equipment

1 Provide 2-6 Control Teams for total of 9 exercise days

• 2 x Control Teams will be operating in Range for 2 exercise days

• 4 x Control Teams will be operating in Range for 2 exercise days

• 6 x Control Teams will be operating in Range for 5 exercise days

SCR

(OP Alpha)

100%

2 Provide 1-2 Control Teams for total of 9 exercise days

• 1 x Control Teams will be operating in Range for 6 exercise days

• 2 x Control Teams will be operating in Range for 3 exercise days

OCTC

(Range 22) *Contractor to determine exact location for relay station in OCTC.

Tentatively Range

22 is proposed).

100%

3 Provide 18 x Remotely-Controlled Vehicles (RCVs)

• Painted in at least 2 difference colors

SCR 100%

1 The RCV control teams are required to operate in both Saylor Creek Range and Orchard Combat Training Centre range.

OFFICIAL (OPEN)

4 Provide 6 x Remotely-Controlled Vehicles (RCVs)

• Painted in at least 2 difference colors

OCTC 100%

5 Provide 18 x Tow-Box Targets

• 14 x Tow-boxes to be painted in Olive Green

• 4 x Tow-boxes to be painted in Olive Green

SCR

OCTC

100%

6 Provide 12 x temporary RCV Shelters at 4 locations

• 3 x Shelters at each location

* Contract to include removal of shelters after the exercise

SCR 100%

Performance Objectives

7 All RCVs requirements at both SCR and OCTC need to be fully operational and ready for utilization by 10 Sep

2021.

SCR &

OCTC

95%

8 All RCVs are required to operate smoothly and individually within and throughout the range without control interference or intermittence.

• Controlling from OP ALPHA at SCR, the contractor must be able to operate maximally up to 6 x RCVs simultaneously on the movement routes as described in Figure 1.

• Controlling from Range 22 at OCTC, the contractor must be able to operate maximally up to 2 x RCVs simultaneously on the movement routes as described in Figure 2.

SCR &

OCTC

100%

9 All RCVs must be constructed with a quick release mechanism as part of the extension connector so that the tow-box target will not derail the RCV when it is struck or cause the RCV to flip or stall

100%

10 The RCVs are expected to move in and out of the designated car shelters as described in Para 15 without any interference and disruption.

SCR 100%

11 Back-up Operations: In the event any of the RCVs breakdown or fail, the contractor is responsible to replace with a back-up RCV immediately and seamlessly in order not to affect operations.

SCR &

OCTC

100%

12 Command & Control: Ability to maintain constant communication with SLRO and Range Control

SCR &

OCTC

95%

13 Administrative & Logistics Support: Provide all administrative and logistics support to ensure the control teams, RCVs and associated tow equipment are able to meet the prescribed requirements for the entire duration of the exercise.

SCR &

OCTC

100%

14 OPTIONAL (To be determined after contract award):

To provide capability Trial Run (1 day) by the contractor to demonstrate the ability to operate two

RCVs simultaneously smoothly and individually

SCR (OP

Alpha) and

OCTC

95% throughout the designated movement routes/areas in

SCR and OCTC respectively. The trial has to be conducted no later than (NLT) Jun or Jul 2021.

*Should there be a need to adjust RCVs’ specs or make changes to RCV operational requirements after the demo, there will be a need for another demo prior to the commencement of the exercise.

(Range 22)

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MOVING TARGETS WITHIN

SAYLOR CREEK RANGE (SCR)

4. Operate between two to six RCVs. The specific operational requirement is for two to six RCVs to be operated remotely in SCR for engagement by inert bombs. The RCVs are required to operate smoothly and individually within and throughout the range without control interference or intermittence. The contractor must be able to operate maximally up to six moving targets simultaneously within the range, controlling from OP ALPHA. The contractor must ensure that they are able to overcome any RCV control or transmission obstacles/interference caused by the hilly features in the range. If required, the contractor may need to install either a relay transmitter equipment on PENCE BUTTE near the WISS Tower or ensure back-up control is established, prior to commencement of RCV operation.

This is to ensure the smooth operation and control of the RCVs. This requirement is crucial when operating from OP ALPHA.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MOVING TARGETS WITHIN

ORCHARD COMBAT TRAINING CENTRE (OCTC)

5. Operate between one to two RCVs. The specific operational requirement is for one to two RCVs to be operated remotely in OCTC range for engagement by inert bombs. The RCVs are required to operate smoothly and individually within and throughout OCTC without control interference or intermittence. The contractor must be able to operate maximally up to two moving targets simultaneously within OCTC, controlling from Range 22 (R22)2. The contractor must ensure that they are able to overcome any RCV control or transmission obstacles/interference caused by any hilly features in OCTC. If required, the contractor may need to install relay transmitter equipment at pre-identified locations3 or ensure back-up control is established, prior to commencement of

RCV operation. This to ensure the smooth operation and control of the RCVs.

2 The contractor can advise and offer an ideal control location if R22 if found to be undesirable.

3 Should there be a need to install relay transmitter within OCTC, the contractor should identify and propose the location during the demo at FPC.

SIMULTANEOUS OPERATIONS WITHIN AND ACROSS BOTH SCR

AND OCTC

6. Simultaneous Operations in both SCR and OCTC. The contractor must be able to operate maximally six RCVs and two RCVs in SCR and OCTC respectively. The RCVs operating within SCR will be controlled from OP

ALPHA, while the RCVs operating within OCTC is proposed to be controlled from R22. The contractor must ensure that they are able to overcome any RCV control or transmission obstacles/interference caused by the hilly features in both

SCR and OCTC. If required, the contractor may need to install relay transmitter equipment at appropriate locations and ensure back-up control is established, prior to commencement of RCV operation, to overcome any screening effects on the

RCVs. This is to ensure the smooth operation and control of the RCVs.

DETAILED REQUIREMENTS FOR MOVING TARGETS

7. Detailed RCV Operational Requirements.

a. Two to Six Control Teams at SCR. Two to six control teams must be available and fully operational NLT 10 Sep 2021. Weekends have been scheduled as technical break days and there are no requirements for RCV operations on those days. The schedule of RCV requirements for the control teams operating at SCR are reflected in Table 2. The finalised requirements will be determined NLT end Aug 2021.

Table 2: Schedule of Requirements of 2-6 Control Teams (SCR)

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

13 Sep 14 Sep 15 Sep 16 Sep 17 Sep 18 Sep 19 Sep

2 Control

Teams

4 Control

Teams

4 Control

Teams

6 Control

Teams

6 Control

Teams

DAR Technical

Break

20 Sep 21 Sep 22 Sep 23 Sep 24 Sep

6 Control

Teams

6 Control

Teams

6 Control

Teams

2 Control

Teams

Closing

Ceremony

b. One to Two Control Teams at OCTC. One to two Control Teams must be available and fully operational NLT 10. Weekends have been scheduled as technical break days and there are no requirements for RCV operations on those days. The schedule of RCV requirements for the control teams operating at OCTC are reflected in Table 3. The finalised requirements will be determined NLT end Aug 2021.

Table 3: Schedule of RCV Requirements of 1 to 2 Control Teams (OCTC) Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

13 Sep 14 Sep 15 Sep 16 Sep 17 Sep 18 Sep 19 Sep

1 Control

Teams

1 Control

Teams

1 Control

Teams

1 Control

Teams

1 Control

Teams

DAR Technical

Break

20 Sep 21 Sep 22 Sep 23 Sep 24 Sep

2 Control

Teams

2 Control

Teams

2 Control

Teams

1 Control

Teams

Closing

Ceremony

c. Simultaneous Operations. The control teams are required to operate independently and simultaneously control the RCVs at (1) SCR from OP ALPHA, (2) OCTC from R22 or (3) from both SCR and OCTC.

The contractor must ensure that they are able to overcome any RCV control or transmission obstacles/interference caused by the hilly features in both ranges.

d. RCV Movement Routes / Areas in SCR and OCTC Respectively.

The movement routes for the RCVs within SCR are highlighted in Yellow

(see Figure 1). RCV movement areas in OCTC is currently permissible to only within the Small Arms Impact Area and not allowed within the AIA4.

The RCV movement areas within OCTC is depicted by a dotted black line

(see Figure 2). The contractor is required to work with Range Control

Operations on the approved RCV employment areas, and the requisite range clearance, operating locations and routes to be taken within SCR and OCTC (see Annex A).

4 A recce trip to OCTC will be conducted by SAF personnel during MPC to determine if there are further axes or off-road axes that RCVs can operate on. Currently for RCV movements within OCTC, there is a need to clear the tumbleweeds crowding the routes within the range. This is advised by OCTC Range Control Office and PC V detachment recce trip to the range on 14 Dec 2020.

Figure 1: Movement Route for RCVs in Saylor Creek Range (SCR)

Figure 2: Movement Route for RCVs in Orchard Combat Training Centre (OCTC)

8. Capability Trial Run. After the contract is awarded, a decision will be taken on exercising the option for the capability trial run to be conducted for one day. The capability trial run would be discussed during Mid-Term Planning

Conference (MPC) and the trial run would be conducted during the Final Planning

Conference (FPC) (to be held in Jun/Jul 2021). However, should there be requirements for adjustment to RCVs’ specs or operational demands after the capability trial run demonstration, there will be a need to organise another demonstration trial prior to the commencement of XFS 21. The hardware and software settings and configurations for the RCV and Control Systems will be fixed and must not be changed after the conclusion of the capability trial run. The

Contractor will be required to conduct a full capability trial run showcasing their ability to do the following simultaneously:

a. At SCR. To operate and remotely control two RCVs in the range from OP ALPHA at a distance of up to 10miles (16km). The RCVs must be able navigate over undulating cross-country terrain at the stipulated cruising speed of 30mph (+ 5mph) and satisfy expected operational requirements5. The contractor must also establish both primary and back-up control of RCVs during the capability trial run to demonstrate the ability to control and operate smoothly, if one mode of control becomes faulty or unavailable.

b. At OCTC. To operate and remotely control two RCVs in the range

(tentatively determined to be from R22), at a distance of up to 10miles

(16km). The RCVs must be able navigate over undulating cross-country terrain at the stipulated cruising speed of 30mph (+ 5mph) and satisfy expected operational requirements. The contractor must also establish both primary and back-up control of RCVs during the capability trial run to demonstrate the ability to control and operate smoothly, if one mode of control becomes faulty or unavailable.

9. Number of RCVs Required for XFS’21. A minimum of 24 RCVs must be available and fully operational prior to the exercise period (NLT 10 Sep 2021).

The RCVs will serve as simulated targets and are required to come in at least two different colors (equal numbers) and of no specific model type. The dimension of the RCV should be approximately 16ft/4.8m (length), 5.5ft/1.6m (width), 5.5ft/1.6m (height) or a typical large SUV vehicle with off-road capability (e.g. 4-wheel drive). The overall height of the RCV including the antenna mast for remote-control operations must not exceed 13ft/4m. The RCV must be controlled remotely from up to 10miles (16km) and able to navigate over undulating cross-country terrain. The RCV should have a maximum speed of 50mph (80km/h) and be able to maintain a cruising speed of 30mph (+ 5mph). The RCV must be operational in both primary and back-up control means to ensure smooth and seamless operations. The RCV must come with an extension connector to be connected to the tow-box target.

5 Expected operational demands include requiring the target to traverse under varied operating profiles, for instance, travelling in a linear formation and splitting at junctions.

10. Number of Tow-Box Targets Required for XFS’21. A total of 18 tow-box targets are required to be attached to the rear of the RCVs and painted in Olive

Green. The tox-box targets will serve as simulated targets and are require to be approximately 12ft/3.6m (length) by 5ft/1.5m (width) by 5ft/1.5m (height). The tow-box target must come with its own extension connector. The overall length of the extension connector and tow-box target should be approximately 28ft/8.6m long. The tow-box target shall always maintain a level profile on the road and must not topple while moving within the range. A quick release mechanism should be constructed as part of the extension connector so that the tow-box target will not derail the RCV when it is struck or cause the RCV to flip or stall. Examples of the RCVs attached with tow-box targets are as shown in Figure 3.

Figure 3: Examples of RCVs with Tow-box Targets

11. Exercise Duration. The moving target requirements must be fully operational and ready NLT 10 Sep 2021. The RCVs must be available for utilisation throughout the entire duration of the exercise from 13 to 23 Sep 2021.

This shall include technical support by the contractor to service and maintain the

RCVs and tow targets such that they are fully functional and deployable throughout the exercise duration. A detailed utilisation schedule for the RCVs and tow-box targets will be provided once the exercise program has been finalised.

12. Back-up Operations. The contractor must ensure that the required RCVs are fully operational and functioning properly during the stipulated windows. In the event that any of the RCVs breakdown or fail to function, the contractor must either activate their back-up control system or activate a back-up RCV to replace the faulty RCV immediately and seamlessly in order not to affect operations.

Besides the primary means of control, it is imperative that the contractor ensures a secondary back-up mode of control that is of a different modality/network6 is provisioned and maintained throughout the stipulated RCV operating windows at both SCR and OCTC.

6 For example, if the primary modality is using a WiFi local network, the secondary back-up mode should be of a different modality such as 4G, LTE or GSM cellular network.

13. RCV Shelters Constructed within SCR. As part of the RCVs operational requirements, they are also expected to travel and hide under designated RCV shelters to conceal their movements and re-appear upon command from Singapore

RCV Liaison Officer. A total of 12 RCV shelters are to be set up at four separate locations in Saylor Creek Range (SCR) (see Figure 4). Each location will contain three shelters and the respective detailed layout is depicted in Figure 5. The shelters must be securely anchored to the ground and be able to withstand the wind condition in SCR during the Sep/Oct period. The shelters must be of a desert tan colour in order to blend in with surrounding terrain (Sep/Oct period) and act as a concealment hide for RCVs (see Figure 6). Each shelter must be large enough to completely cover and conceal 1 x RCV with an antenna mast attached or 1 x

RCV with the tow-box attached. The shelters must be constructed to allow smooth entry and exit of the RCV or RCV with tow-box and the materials used to construct the shelters must not interfere with the operation of the RCVs. The shelters are required to be dismantled and removed from SCR after the end of the exercise.

Figure 4: Location of RCV Shelters in SCR

Figure 5: Detailed Layout of RCV Shelters at the Four Locations in SCR

Figure 6: Example of a Car Shelter

14. Command and Control. The contractor will be under the command and control direction of the Singapore RCV Liaison Officer based at Mountain Home

Air Force Base on all RCV operations in SCR and OCTC. The Liaison Officer will establish mobile phone and LMR communication with the Control Teams for the preparation and operation of the RCVs throughout the duration of the exercise.

The contractor is to ensure the control teams establish stable mobile phone coverage and can maintain constant communication with the Liaison Officer. For safety and contingency requirements, the contractor and its personnel must be able to maintain LMR or mobile phone communications with Range Control

Operations and the Singapore RCV Liaison Officer.

15. Employment Areas. The Control Teams must be familiar with the exercise area. The Contractor must conduct system checks, tests and ground reconnaissance in SCR and OCTC to ensure that the RCVs are ready for employment and do not face interference or loss of control.

16. Communication Support and Frequency Clearance. The contractor shall make provisions for their own internal communications to control their crew and the moving targets and obtain the necessary clearance from Range Control

Operations prior to the exercise. The contractor shall also ensure that their communication links with the Singapore RCV Liaison Officer and Range Control

Operations is maintained throughout the exercise.

17. Conformance to the Range Standing Orders. The contractor while providing the stipulated services must adhere to SCR and OCTC Range standing orders, both administratively and any environmental regulations throughout the duration of the exercise.

18. Administrative and Logistic Support. The contractor is required to provide all administrative and logistical support to ensure that the Control Teams and

RCVs are able to meet the requirements for the entire duration of service. The contractor shall also prepare sufficient spare parts, components and equipment to ensure that the RCVs and Control Teams are able to perform their roles throughout the entire duration of the exercise. For any system malfunction that occurs during a mission, the malfunctioning RCVs or remote control system shall be replaced immediately and seamlessly with the spare RCV or control system, which will be put on standby to minimise interferences to the mission.

Annex:

1. Annex A: Area of Operations for RCV in Saylor Creek Range (SCR) and

Orchard Combat Training Centre (OCTC)

A-1

ANNEX A

AREA OF OPERATIONS FOR RCV IN SAYLOR CREEK RANGE

(SCR) AND ORCHARD COMBAT TRAINING CENTRE (OCTC)

Figure A-1: RCV Movement Area (in Yellow) with New Routes (in Red) within SCR

Figure A-2: RCV Engagement and Movement Areas within SCR

A-2

Figure A-3: RCV Pre-Identified Movement Route within OCTC (To be confirmed during

MPC)

Figure A-4: RCV Engagement Areas within OCTC (To be confirmed during MPC)

B-1

RESTRICTED (FOUO)